Side bets in APA

[JazzyJeff87]

I’ve never played APA 9 ball but I don’t like the concept. Well I guess I do but not for a game called 9 ball. I don’t know what you’d call it. Points maybe. True there’s tons of different rule sets for 9b but they all have the ‘money ball wins’ in common.

I agree with the rest though except I’ve never asked for a spot. But I don’t bet high either.

 

[justadub]

The point is because of APA there are many players who think 'real' 9-ball is played by ball count, and think it must ALWAYS be played this way and on top of that ALWAYS handicapped (even if playing for nothing): and they don't even know what a race in 9-ball is. I've met them at the local corner bar where they play APA (and I rarely frequent). And no I'm not there to hustle them or gamble just to play a little bit because the nearest hall is a half hour away. I see where you are coming from about higher level players watching APA just to set up a unbalanced money match/game though. I know of a player around here that would do that sort of thing and I don't like him. Generally I stay away from the APA players because they are not real competition.

I will reply simply by noting that you can stop in to pretty much any bar in pretty much any town and find people who think that bar rules are "real 8-ball"... but where is the hue and cry over that?

If we spent the time, we could come up with countless variations on what people consider to be the "real" rules of all the popular pool games. Between the different pro tourney requirements, the different leagues, all the different gambler scenarios and bar rules...

Yeah, there are plenty of league players (any league, not just APA, tho they are always the subject cuz they're the biggest) who haven't played pool any other way. Nor have they watched or read about pool beyond their little sphere. That doesn't make them right in their thinking, it just means they need more experience. Not more ridicule. (I bet the pool room is happy that they are there, tho...and you should be, since those league players help keep these rooms open. They typically spend far more in pool rooms than the gamblers do )

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

The APA is set up for no gambling. If you want to gamble go someplace else...it is just that simple. I gamble a little and do no mind if others do. It is like taking a beer to church...some prefer that you don't.

I might consider going to Church if they served Barbecue & Beer after services.

I often laugh when
People mentioning Gambling on Pool. Then they talk handicap or giving 8, or 9.

Thought to have true even match up, as one is alway better then other.

Gambling to me is casino, and if you know odds done games are better gamble.

 

[Willowbrook Wolfy]

Some of you act like fights are gonna break out over a $20 side bet while you or the guy/girl next to you is over there dogging it to drop a point. You should call them out and report it to the LO. Pretty sure it’s also against the rules. What hurts pool more trying to win the money or trying to lose on purpose?

 

[Fatboy]

I might consider going to Church if they served Barbecue & Beer after services.

I often laugh when
People mentioning Gambling on Pool. Then they talk handicap or giving 8, or 9.

Thought to have true even match up, as one is alway better then other.

Gambling to me is casino, and if you know odds done games are better gamble.

1P is the greatest non-gambling gambling game ever. Pool is great action, action is fun and motivating. Gives purpose and more meaning to the game itself.

 

[Willowbrook Wolfy]

1P is the greatest non-gambling gambling game ever. Pool is great action, action is fun and motivating. Gives purpose and more meaning to the game itself.

. Honestly. I have fun for the most part at APA. Rules are rules, but depending how you came up is $20 or even $50 on a few games gambling? That’s usually The norm when some avg and a lot of the better players get together on the table for some practice……

 

[Fatboy]

. Honestly. I have fun for the most part at APA. Rules are rules, but depending how you came up is $20 or even $50 on a few games gambling? That’s usually The norm when some avg and a lot of the better players get together on the table for some practice……

In the very early 80’s when I was a stone beginner we played for $1/game sometimes

In 85 when I started going to the pool room, I learned what a race was. So I started out playing races to 5 for $5. That was cool for a few months. Then as I got better the bet sizes went up.

Some players I’ve met never played for more than $20 back then or even today. I’ve never judged anyone by their bet size. I respect the fact someone’s self confidence to put value into their game.

However it’s not for everyone and I don’t look down on people who don’t gamble. That’s their decision. I’m not a tough guy or a better player because I like action or superior in anyway to someone who doesn’t gamble.

For me it adds a layer of fun, I understand their rules and reasons. But in private if 2 people agree to bet it’s between them.

I’ve never seen action cause a fight. I’ve seen alcohol & drugs and jealous guys cause lots of fights in pool rooms but never gambling.

Best
Fatboy

 

[Willowbrook Wolfy]

I like playing for something too. Helps me focus.

 

[u12armresl]

It just seems in poor taste.
There are only 2 options I see where "gambling and APA" are in the same sentence.
1) Both team captains get together and say they will bet a round of drinks on the total outcome.
2) Before any matches, like an hour before league, or after all the matches, you pick a person out and ask if they would like to play a race for $.

 

[tomatoshooter]

Are spectators banned from betting too?

The bar I play at has a lot of good players, at least for a bar. I'd say probably near the range of the Tuesday tournament at the local pool hall. I made a $5 bet on one of the games, not mine. I can understand if a bar owner didn't want that in his establishment before it got excessive. Next time I'll just bet a beer.

 

[trob]

For the life of me I can't understand why people insist on being negative toward something that has absolutely no affect on them whatsoever. For millions of people APA is a fun way to escape and get together with friends and family and bang some balls around. It never claims to be great pool or an avenue to becoming the next SVB. I'll never understand the constant hate league pool gets on this site. It's probably one of the main reasons people don't participate as much or at all anymore here. The superiority complex all of you degenerate, get off my lawn, gambling is the only way to get better, diamond or GC 1 only snobs gets nauseating. You want to know what's wrong with pool and why it's dying? The pretentious God complex non-league players have toward noobs or bangers. It's just pool, no one is curing cancer if they can or can't run 5 balls.

Because they are pool players.. and they hate everything that is new or doesn’t fall into their little box of enjoyment. That’s the reason why I play more golf now. After 30 years it gets old.

The point is because of APA there are many players who think 'real' 9-ball is played by ball count, and think it must ALWAYS be played this way and on top of that ALWAYS handicapped (even if playing for nothing): and they don't even know what a race in 9-ball is. I've met them at the local corner bar where they play APA (and I rarely frequent). And no I'm not there to hustle them or gamble just to play a little bit because the nearest hall is a half hour away. I see where you are coming from about higher level players watching APA just to set up a unbalanced money match/game though. I know of a player around here that would do that sort of thing and I don't like him. Generally I stay away from the APA players because they are not real competition.

I don’t know any apa players that think that. not one. Not locally not when I went to Vegas. Its just the way Apa plays 9 ball And they all realize that. You’ve made a bunch of silly comments and get made when someone calls you out on them. If you don’t like apa don’t play. It’s cool. The fact that it makes you so angry that other people do is what is comical. A

 

[Willowbrook Wolfy]

It just seems in poor taste.
There are only 2 options I see where "gambling and APA" are in the same sentence.
1) Both team captains get together and say they will bet a round of drinks on the total outcome.
2) Before any matches, like an hour before league, or after all the matches, you pick a person out and ask if they would like to play a race for $.

3) APA tournament. If you pay to play and it pays back, sorry to say-its gambling.

 

[SBC]

There's players and league players.
Don't care how many of them there are.

The pool culture APA supports is contrary to what pool is supposed to be.
It's just for fun...except for the corporation, operators and room owners it's about the Benjamin's. They do everything possible to keep the money machine rolling with no regard for the history, old timers and players who learn and play the right way.

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

1P is the greatest non-gambling gambling game ever. Pool is great action, action is fun and motivating. Gives purpose and more meaning to the game itself.

Well I too love One Pocket, 14/1, and trying to get into Short Rack Banks.

Never liked gambling at Pool as money at risk was in mind, a distraction.

Honestly if you had backer the distraction would be there.

Tournament play is you put up fee, for opportunity to split pot. Use to like better.

 

[Maniac]

The pool culture APA supports is contrary to what pool is supposed to be.

Supposed to be??? Are you serious?

If you could go back hundreds of years to the time when pool was invented, do you think someone was sitting around wondering what kind of a game he could come up with to help me and my buddies gamble more?

I'm fairly sure the gambling culture came long after the game was invented.

You guys gamble all you want, it has no effect on me. I do know more than one person that gambling destroyed their lives/family.

 

[Fatboy]

Well I too love One Pocket, 14/1, and trying to get into Short Rack Banks.

Never liked gambling at Pool as money at risk was in mind, a distraction.

Honestly if you had backer the distraction would be there.

Tournament play is you put up fee, for opportunity to split pot. Use to like better.

I respect that. If it’s a distraction don’t bet.

For me most of the time it’s a reason to play.

I will play with no bet with friends. As that’s social. That was probably 5% of the time I spent playing. 30% practicing and 65% in action-all different amounts. I never think of “how much” that’s a distraction to me. Action is all the same, the balls nor I count the $.

Best
Fatboy

 

[Bigkat]

1P is the greatest non-gambling gambling game ever. Pool is great action, action is fun and motivating. Gives purpose and more meaning to the game itself.

ONE POCKET IS IN STRONG CONTENTION FOR THE GREATEST GAME EVER!!

 

[Bigkat]

I respect that. If it’s a distraction don’t bet.

For me most of the time it’s a reason to play.

I will play with no bet with friends. As that’s social. That was probably 5% of the time I spent playing. 30% practicing and 65% in action-all different amounts. I never think of “how much” that’s a distraction to me. Action is all the same, the balls nor I count the $.

Best
Fatboy

FATBOY SPOT ME 10-6 and the breaks

 

[CocoboloCowboy]

You guys gamble all you want, it has no effect on me. I do know more than one person that gambling destroyed their lives/family.

You said mouth full above. Worked in late 1970s with guy who was addicted to Ponys & Gambeling.

He use to ride with me to work, so one Friday he asks to borrow 20’untill payday, monday so wife had money for weekend groceries.

I thought like a second, and replied you going to track this weekend? As Santa Anita was running, he replied yes.

I said you have money for horses, but need money for family groceries?

He said Horse money was different funds. I said no to 20, plus he needed priorities arranged.

He and I did not speak much at work, he started during pun car.

Disease is what he had.

 

[chefjeff]

There's players and league players.
Don't care how many of them there are.

The pool culture APA supports is contrary to what pool is supposed to be.
It's just for fun...except for the corporation, operators and room owners it's about the Benjamin's. They do everything possible to keep the money machine rolling with no regard for the history, old timers and players who learn and play the right way.

Does your preferred way of doing it bring in more money to the game or what?

Btw, businesses are supposed to make money or else they're gone. I don't want pool gone.


Jeff Livingston